Perhaps the most moving moment of the 20th anniversary of the Hudson County Animal League (HCAL) came when Carlyn Modeshesky received her award for volunteer service.

She couldn’t stop crying.

The wine-tasting event held at the Bayonne Community Museum on Nov. 9 was a show of support for needy animals around the county, and those who volunteered to help save them. The event, sponsored by Bridgeview Liquors, featured hundreds of people from around Hudson County, and included some music from the staff of Bridgeview in commemoration of efforts to raise sorely needed money to keep up the effort in the future.

“We feel our biggest successes are our adoptions and the many, many animals we have saved,” said Kathleen O'Malley, HCAL's president. “This year we found forever loving homes for over 95 cats and dogs, and our Spay/Neuter and TNR program was expanded this year. Many free-roaming cats were spay/neutered and just this year alone we have taken in approximately 45 kittens from this program and many already adopted. Our longevity is due to our fabulous volunteers and the generosity of the public. For the future, we look forward to increasing our programs with the volunteers and public; continued support for our animals in distress, homeless or abandoned; and for helping us make a difference—one pet at a time.”

Although organizers did not have a complete tally by the end of the night, they said the event was a success, not only in raising money, but also in raising public awareness.

“There was an overflowing crowd enjoying good food, good music, and many wines and beer tasting,” said Lorma Wepner, volunteer coordinator.

The purpose of the Hudson County Animal League is to promote the compassionate treatment of companion animals. Specifically, the League strives to provide the following services: rescue/foster of abandoned animals, promotion/subsidizing of spay/neuter services, adopting animals into permanent loving homes, providing information and referrals on responsible pet care, trapping/alteration/release of feral cats, and assistance with veterinary services for indigent animals.

Formed in 1993, HCAL was incorporated in 1994 as an all-volunteer organization concentrating on the rescue of lost, abandoned and/or abused dogs and cats and the spay/neutering of feral cat colonies. Areas of focus have been Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, and North Bergen.

The League is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. It has been approved by the State of New Jersey Department of Health as an adoption agency.

It has a board of directors composed of 11 people who are elected to office. They include the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, recording secretary, and six members at large.

Monthly meetings are held at its headquarters in Jersey City and at a chapter in Bayonne. All meetings are open to the public, and new members are welcome. To be a voting member of the league, a person must attend at least five meetings a year, complete 20 hours of volunteer service for the league, and pay yearly dues.

The league meets on the Second Thursday of every month at the First Federated Church, 33rd Street & Avenue C, Bayonne, and the third Wednesday of every month at Pershing Field Community Center in Pershing Field Park, Jersey City Heights. Both meetings start at 7:15 p.m. There are no meetings in August or December. The annual meeting is held in April in Jersey City; there is no Bayonne meeting that month.